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VICTORY TOWNSHIP — The West Shore Community College Board of Trustees will consider approving a $607,000 architectural and engineering services contract for the proposed renovation and expansion of the college’s Administration and Conference Center during its meeting Monday, Nov. 16.
The meeting will begin at 4 p.m. in the John M. Eaton Board Room, located in the Administration and Conference Center on the college’s main campus, 3000 N. Stiles Road.
College President Scott Ward is recommending that the board authorize a contract with Hobbs + Black, an architectural and engineering firm selected through a competitive proposal process.
The proposed project would modernize the existing Administration and Conference Center while exploring opportunities to better accommodate administrative offices, conference and meeting space, and broader community use.
According to information included in the board’s meeting packet, the college received 10 proposals for architectural and engineering services. Nine firms participated in a non-mandatory facility walkthrough, and four firms were selected for finalist interviews.
A six-member review committee consisting of Mitch Foster, Mark Kinney, Amber Cooper, Chuck Eberbach, Mike Moore and James Oswald evaluated the proposals, fees and qualifications. The committee unanimously recommended Hobbs + Black.
The four finalists and their adjusted proposed fees were:
- Hobbs + Black: $607,000
- IDS: $560,000
- Design Collaborative: $625,000
- Kendra Thompson Architects: $565,000
Although Hobbs + Black did not submit the lowest proposal, the committee determined the firm offered the best overall value based on its experience, project approach and understanding of the college’s needs.
The committee cited the firm’s experience working with the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget and the state’s capital outlay process, including projects involving smaller community colleges.
However, the committee also identified concerns that preliminary concepts presented by Hobbs + Black appeared to exceed the anticipated construction budget.
According to the meeting packet, those concerns would be addressed during contract negotiations and the project’s initial planning phase. Particular attention would be given to developing realistic design alternatives, validating construction costs and ensuring the project’s scope remains within its authorized budget.
The proposed architectural and engineering contract is part of the college’s effort to secure state capital outlay funding for the renovation and expansion.
During its Oct. 19 meeting, the Board of Trustees approved designating the Administration and Conference Center renovation as the college’s top priority for state capital outlay funding. The college has already received state planning authority for the project.
Ward’s recommendation would authorize the college to negotiate and execute a contract with Hobbs + Black for an amount not to exceed $607,000, subject to successful negotiations and finalization of the scope of services.
The proposal was favorably reviewed by the board’s Administrative Committee during its Nov. 11 meeting.
The $607,000 recommendation covers architectural and engineering services, not the full cost of construction.
The Board of Trustees is scheduled to consider the recommendation as part of its new business agenda Monday.
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